Bhabhi - 1938

About

Bhabhi (Bhabi), 1938

Director: Franz Osten Cinematographer: Josef Wirsching Choreographer: Mumtaz Ali Music: Saraswati Devi Lyrics: J.S. Casshyyap Cast: Cast: P. Jairaj, Renuka Devi, Maya Devi, Meera, V.H. Desai, P.F.Pithwala

No translation, sorry. The VHS tape from which this was made was kindly supplied by Dr. Kapur, with help from Surjit Singh. I am grateful to the both of them, especially Dr. Kapur who has held on to this rare tape for many years now.

The NFAI has this listed as 155 minutes so this is missing 10-11 minutes.

It's from an Esquire VHS tape so if you see some strangeness going on in the lower left of the picture from time to time, it's my lame attempt to remove their ugly logo without being too obvious about it.

Based on "Bisher Dhuan" by writer Sardindu Banerjee (1899-1970), who adapted it for Bombay Talkies, Bhabhi is the story of an upright young man named Kishore (Jairaj) who promises his dying friend to take care of the latter's wife, Bimala (Maya Devi), left all alone in the world. Kishore brings Bimala to his house, where they live as brother and sister. Society disapproves, and so does Kishore's father, who disinherits his son. Meanwhile, Renu (Renuka Devi) and her father, Vinay Babu — a funny old man, a bundle of nerves — move in next door. Kishore and Renu fall in love, much to the annoyance of the pompous Anupam (Rama Shukul), who plans to marry the wealthy Renu. Anupam plays villain and creates much heartbreak for the lovers. On a side note, Renu's friend Bela (Meera), who is Anupam's cousin, falls for Kishore. Finally, all misunderstandings are cleared, thanks largely to Deenbandhu (the comforting and rather avuncular P. F. Pithawala), Kishore's former teacher.

The January 1939 issue of Filmindia says this about Bhabhi:

This picture is like a beautiful perfume that does not intrude. Beautiful in conception and neat in execution the story is a masterly blending of soothing pathos and elevating romance. It is a harmonious poem of picturization with every sequence courting amiably with the other. The theme is a mild satire on society but does not annoy or provoke at any stage and leaves behind a pleasant impression.

Renuka Devi is a remarkable discovery as a star of the screen. Her performance has that distinctive grace and poise which can only be associated with a lady of culture and education. Her personality has a fragrance that we so often miss on the Indian screen. Renuka must be seen oftener on the screen. Bombay Talkies owe this to their fans.

Human-made No record of this work says a model made it. What this means.

Archive

Wikimedia Commons, in Wikimedia Commons

Licence or status

Public domain, as the Wikimedia Commons states it.

Rights statement

Public domain

Credit

tommydan55

Who can watch

The archive gives no rating. Invisible Network shows it to Teens profiles and older, judged from its collection and subjects. How films are placed